REV Midwest Automotive Design American Coach Patriot 2022 Owner'S Manual Download

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A M E R I C A N C O A C H P A T R I O T O W N E R ’ S M A N U A L

A M E R I C A N C O A C H // P A T R I O T

S E C T I O N 5 //

3 6

BEFORE YOU GO

Preparation (accessories / bicycles / luggage / holding tanks / fuel

/ fluids / food / water)

■

ACCESSORIES

If equipped, ensure all exterior accessories (example: awning,
barbecue grills, coolers, kayaks, cargo systems, TV antennas, and

satellite dishes) are secured and properly stowed. Do not store any

loose items on the exterior of the vehicle, especially on the optional
roof rack, ladder, or attached to the rear doors� All accessory items
must be fully secured�

WARNING

When operating a coach equipped with the optional roof
rack, use care when entering gated lots, garage facilities,
and drive-thru lanes at restaurants and banks. Avoid low-
hanging cables or tree branches. Observe roof clearance

requirements. Contact with overhead obstacles will damage

your vehicle and / or cargo, possibly resulting in serious
personal injuries.

BICYCLES

There are many hitch-mounted options available to carry bicycles
safely on the American Coach Patriot�

When selecting a bicycle

rack, you need to consider the following:

•

The number of bikes to be transported

•

Access to the rear doors / storage area

•

Vehicle, hitch, and tire weight limits

Mount and secure bicycle carriers properly before departing� We do
not recommend storing bicycles on the roof of the coach, nor attaching
them by any means to the rear doors� Those locations are not suitable
for transporting bicycles� The door hinges and shell are not designed
to carry a heavy load� Attaching any bike rack or cargo carrying
assembly to the rear doors may cause permanent damage, which is
not covered under the warranty� Use a trailer hitch mounted bike rack
only, provided you factor the weight of the carrier and any mounted
bicycles into the total cargo load� Keep in mind the additional weight
and surface area of the bicycles may affect the vehicle’s overall length
and handling characteristics�

warning

WARNING

Prior to

driving, secure all items. Unsecured items can shift

forcefully causing damage to the vehicle, which could cause
sudden loss of control, or serious injuries if not avoided.

WARNING

Do not carry bicycles on the roof of the coach, and never
attach any type of bicycle carrier to the rear doors and / or
door hinges. The additional weight of bicycles on the hinges
and doors could permanently damage them, which is not
covered under warranty.

LUGGAGE

One of the most critical aspects of safely operating a touring coach

is properly stowing luggage and cargo. The first thing to determine

is how much luggage and cargo will be loaded, and then determine

whether the items will safely fit within the storage compartments,

and in the rear cargo area of the coach� Keep in mind that all cargo,
gear, persons, pets, and any supplies must not exceed the maximum

cargo capacity of the vehicle, which is specified in the Mercedes-Benz

Sprinter Operating Instructions� Determining the weight and placement
of luggage and gear is critical to how well your vehicle handles (refer

to SECTION 4 - SAFETY).

A good practice is once you have loaded (including fuel and water)

your American Coach Patriot weigh the vehicle on a scale� Depending
on the type of scale available, you may have the opportunity to weigh
each axle of your vehicle� By weighing each axle, that will give you

a good idea on how balanced the load distribution is (front to rear).

Review your axle weight and tire limits located in your Mercedes-
Benz Sprinter Operating Instructions, and become familiar with the
Gross Vehicle

Weight Rating (GVWR). Once your vehicle is weighed,

make sure the total is below the GVWR� Just as important, make sure
your load is balanced side-to-side throughout the coach� Failure to
maintain a good all-around balance throughout the vehicle may cause
the sudden loss of stability, and may also adversely affect braking
and handling characteristics� The bottom line is a balanced load
enables optimal control of the vehicle and makes driving or towing
more relaxing�

HOLDING TANKS

The American Coach Patriot has three separate holding tanks (fresh

water, gray, and black). The freshwater tank holds clean potable

water that you will utilize from your sink faucets and shower, and if
well maintained, the water will be safe to drink� The gray water tank

warning